A rule how TO BRING VP Children A treatise wherein is declared how the Father apposeth his Sonne in the holy Scripture whereby all Parents may be taught a rule how to bring vp their Children briefelie collected into a short volume Psalme 119. Where-withall shall a young man clense his waies euen by ruling himselfe after the word of God Iohn 5. Non quero gloriam meam sed glorïam Patris qui me misit Rom. 4. By faith is the inheritāce giuen that it might come of fauour Rom. 14. Whatsoeuer is not of faith the same is sinne ¶ To the right honorable my very singuler good Lord the Earle of Huntingdon Knight of the noble order of the Garter Lord President of her Maiesties honorable counsell established in the North partes your Lordshippes daylie Oratour and humble suppliant Iohn Lyster Clarke late Cutate of Leedes and nowe Vicar of Thorpeach wisheth good health long life much encrease of honour and after a godly and faithfull ende IN most humble wise shewing your good Lordshippe that by your lordships good meanes I obtained the benefice whereof I am now resident and remembring a saying of that worthie Philosopher SENECA that there be three degrees of thankefulnesse one recognoscere beneficium an other gratias et laudes agere and the thirde pro loco et tempore secundam suam facultatem retribuere or rather considering the Samaritan in the Ghospel healed by Christ of his Leprosie returned and acknowledged Christes mercie towardes him prostrate himselfe before him and with a loud voice gaue him thanks so likewise good my Lord I returning doe acknowledge your Lordships great goodnesse vnto mee render most hartie and humble thankes vnto your honour for the same and not being able to make anye recompence vnto your Lordshippe as Seneca teacheth although I haue meditated with my selfe sundrie times how to doe the same Yet notwithstanding that your Lordship may perceaue that I am not forgetfull or negligent of your Lordshipps great good will vnto mee I haue drawen in Dialogue wise out of scripture which is able to make one learned to saluation the dutie of all states and degrees of people howe a Christian life is to bee ledde what thinges are needefull to saluation the ende of manne and the straight accompt in the day of iudgement with the punishment of the wicked and reward of the righteous briefelie sette downe and plaine for the capacitie of the ignoraunt putting or adding nothing therevnto which I doe present vnto your good Lordshippe in remembrance of my humble duetie and obedient seruice vnto your Honour beseeching your Lordshippe to accept of my good and simple meaning and to beare with my boldnesse and small knowledge to write any thing to such a Noble personage as your Lordship And I shall incessauntlie entreate the eternall and euerliuing God till ATRAPOS shall cutte my fatall thred for the preseruation of your good Lordshippe whome the King of glorie Lord of hostes and Father of all mercie blesse saue and keepe for euer more Amen Your Lordshipps poore suppliant IOHN LYSTER To all Ministers fellow labourers in the Lords vine-yarde salutations in Iesu Christ IT is not vnknowen vnto you my brethern that the Lord hath elected vs before we were fashioned in our mothers wombe sanctified vs or euer we were borne ordained vs to be stewards of his secrets watchmen ouer his people shepperds of the sheepe of his pasture to the edifiyng of the saincts to the worke and ministration euen to the edifiyng of the bodie of Christ till we all come to the vnitie of faith and knowledge of the sonne of God vnto a perfect man euen vnto the measure of the full perfect age of Christ And knowing my selfe to be the meanest among you in respect of my knowledge not worthie to be of that calling although the grace of God hath otherwise dealt with mee in calling me to that function and hath giuen one talent vnto mee for the instructing a little number of his flocke which he hath bought with his bloud of whome he hath made me an ouerseer and therefore it is not meete for me to passe ouer the sum of this life with the singing Grashopper till the stormie nightes and Boriall blastes of winter come vpon mee neither to let the cleare day passe idlelie till the darke night come when none can trauell neither to followe the drone Bee eating the labours of others but rather to studie to discharge in some measure my selfe according to my function and to profite others Seeing that I perceaue the greatest number of you my brethren to followe the example of the Emmit working in the day and busie as the Bees in the spring of the yeere to gather their home so you to accomplish the worke wherevnto you are called the Lord prosper you and continue your proceedings I haue therefore for my parte drawen a shorte treatise in Dialogue manner betwixt the Father and the Sonne out of Scripture wherein may fullie and perfectlye be perceaued the duties of all sortes of people how a Christian life is to be ledde what thinges are needefull to saluation the ende of man and straite accompt in the fearefull iudgement with a punishment of the wicked and reward of the righteous not seeking any prayse for the same but Gods glorie which all men ought to doe seeing we are oftentimes tryed by our cheife Diocesan according to our gracious Princesse commaundement how we profet Gods people cōmitted vnto vs within his graces prouince but especyally seeing we shall appeare before the great shepperd and Bishop of our soules Iesus Christ to giue accompts of the bestowing of our Talents that wee may receiue an incorruptable crowne of glorie where they that haue taught others shall bee as the shining of heauen and they that haue instructed the multitude vnto Godlynesse shall bee lyke the starres world without ende and thus not doubting of your great care and dyligence in your functions I beseech the eternall God from whome all good gruiftes doe proceede encrease you with wisdome and knowledge in this life and with eternal happinesse in the world to come Thorpearche within the ancienty or lyberties of Yorke the 12. day of Iunne 1587. Your faithfull yokefellow in the Lord Iohn Lyster The Father examineth his sonne how he hath profited in the word of Saluation Father MY Sonne séeing it is the duty of parents not only to educate and bring vp their Children with meate and apparel but also to enstruct and teach them in the feare of God and Christian religion for which cause I haue cōmitted thée to the gouernement of a learned and Godlie Maister these seauen yéeres past Wherefore my will and minde is to know how thou hast profited in the same and what thy profession is Sonne Good Father 1. Peter 3 séeing it is your pleasure to demaunde of mée a reason of my faith I must follow the exhortation of the Appostle Saint Peter that I be ready to giue
vnto God the things that are goods Esdras 7 Whosoeuer will not obey the King let him haue Iudgment without delay Rom. 13. Giue to euery man his duty tribute to whom tribute belongeth custome to whō custome is due feare to whome feare belongeth honour to whō honour pertaineth Math. 7 Iesus saide to Peter of whome doe the Kings of the earth take tribute or toll and further saide goe least we should offend and take thine angle and looke that thou take the fyshe that first commeth vp and thou shalt finde in his mouth a péece of xx pence that take and giue it vnto them for mée and thée 1. king 8 The Lord shewing the domynion of a king ouer subiects sayth he will take your sonnes and put them to his Chariots and make horsemen to runne before him make of them Captaines ouer thousands and ouer hundreths to eare his ground gather his haruest and your daughters wil he make cookes apotecaries and bakers and he shall take the best of your feildes vine-yerds olyues and giue thē to his seruants I exhort saith saint Paull Tim. 2 that aboue all things prayers Praier for Kings supplications intercessions and giueing of thankes be had for all men for Kinges and for all that are in authoritie that we may liue a quiet and peaceable life with al godlinesse honesty And all the people sayd 1. King 10 God send the king long life I pray God that my Lord King Dauid may liue euer God saue King Salomon 3. kings 1. the people sayde Amen I pray God that the Lord God of my king say so too Daniell sayd oh king Dan. 2. God saue thy life for euer Father What Euell princes are all kinges and Princes to be honoured and prayed for if they be euill and wicked Sonne Yea Dan. 3. for why they are Gods ministers ordained of God I read that Nabugodonozer King of Babulon made an Image to be worshipped howbeit Sidrach Mysaac and Abednago although they refused to worship that Idoll yet they submitted thēselues and honoured the King Daryus king of Babulon Dan. 6 casting Danyell into a Lyons Den yet Danyell honoured the king and sayd oh King God saue thy life for euer Saull a wicked king purposing to haue killed Da. yet Da. honored him said 1. king 24 the Lord forbid that I should touch the Lords annoynted Iob. 34. For the wickednesse of the people doth the Lorde make an hippocrite to raigne ouer them Pro. 21. The kinges heart is in the hande of God like as are the ryuers of water hée may turne it whether soeuer he will So that you may perceaue Father that God ordayneth a wicked king to raigne ouer wicked people to scourge and plague thē For a wicked king is the lands scourge Father Depose May not Subiectes labour to depose their Prince if he bée euill and place another Sonne Daniel 2. The Lord forbid for why wisedome and strength are the Lords he setteth vp kinges and putteth downe kinges 1. king 17. The Lord hath rented his kingdome from thée and hath cast thée off that thou shalt not bée king Father But by whome and wherefore was Saull deposed Sonne 1. Cro. 10. By the Lord was he deposed Because he trespassed against the Lord in that hée kept not the word of the Lord but sought and asked counsel of a woman the wrought with a spirit and asked not of the Lorde The highest hath power ouer kingdoms of men and giueth them to whom he wil Daniel 4. and he bringeth euen the verie abiectes of men ouer them Father Then it is not lawfull for any person to rebell or make insurrection Rebellion Sonne Who can lay his hand saith Dauid 1. king 26. 1. king 24. on the Lords anoynted and be guiltlesse the Lord be mercifull vnto mée that I do not touch the Lords anoynted Dauid said to the young man 2. king 2. how is it that thou wast not afrayde to slaye the Lordes anoynted and his young men came vpon him and slue him The vnrighteous and wicked men that slue the kings sonne in his owne house 2. king 4 vpon his bed shall not I saith Dauid require his bloud at your hands take you from the earth and Dauid caused them to be hanged vppe and cutte of their handes and féete Rebellion is as the synne of witchcraft 1. king 15 and disobedience is as the sinne of Idolatrie 2. king 18 Absolon rebelling against Dauid his father roade vpon a Mule who ranne vnder a trée and was hanged by the lockes of his haire and was cast into an hole and stones vpon him Math. 27 Iudas who betrayed his Maister for xxx péeces of siluer went out and hanged himselfe and his bowells gushed out Numer 16 Corath Dathan and Abyron rebelled and they their wiues and children goods cattells being in their tents the earth opened her mouth and they went downe all quicke into hell Nume 16. Two hundreth being of the same conspiracie not then there present fire came downe from heauen and destroyed them Ecclesi 10 Wish the king no euill in thine heart nor thy Prince any hurte in thy prieuie Chamber for a byrde of the ayre shall bewray thée and with her fethers shall shée bewray thy secrets Rom. 13 But chiefelye marke Saint Paules words Whosoeuer resisteth shall receaue to themselues damnation whereby you may well perceaue Father how the Lord God of heauen plaugeth rebells not only with bodely death destruction but also with eternall confusion and condemnation in the burning lake of hell where fier and Brimstone storme and tempest shall bée their portion to drinke Father Iesu my sonne how many conspiracies trayterous rebellions haue been of late against our gratious Princesse Sonne Yea father yet the Lord that great and mightie Iehoua doth saue his anoynted out of their bloudie hands A prayer And I beséech our God and heauenly father for Iesus death innocent blood-shedding to blesse preserue and saue her Maiestie and either in mercy conuert their hearts to their dutifull obedience vnto her Maiestie or else in iustice destroy them that they may perish and haue their portion with Corath his companie which thing the eternall God for his great mercy sake graunt And thereto let all that feare God say Amen Father And I beséech the Lord God 3. kings 1 of my princesse to say so to Amen Procéede my son to tell me of whome haue Iudges Iudges and magestrato Rulers Magestrates and Officers of euery degrée in the common wealth their power and aucthoritie Sonne Of their head the Prince euen as the Prince hath power from his heade Christ For they are the hands of their king or Prince whereby he worketh Exod. 18. Be thou vnto the people to God-ward that thou maist bring the causes vnto God and
thou shalt teach them ordinaunces lawes Iudges must be true men such as feare God not couâ—tus and shewe them the way wherein they must walke the worke which they must doe Moreouer thou shalt séeke out among all the people men of actiuitie and such as feare God true men hating couetousnesse and make them heades ouer the people Captanines ouer thousands ouer hundreths ouer fifties and ouer ten and let them iudge the people at all seasons Deu. 1. Moyses said to the people I tooke out of your Trybes The prince commandment to Iudges and officers with their duties Captaynes men of wisedome and that were expert and made theÌ„ rulers ouer you and I charged your iudges that same time saying heare the cause of your brethren and iudge righteously betwéene euerie man and his brother and the stranger that is with you sée that you know no face in iudgement but heare the small as well as the great and be afrayde of no man for the iudgement is Gods Thou shalt not fauour the poore Leuitic 19 nor honour the mightie but in righteousnesse shalt thou iudge thy neighbour Thou shalt not raigne ouer thy brother cruelly but shalt feare thy God Leuit. 25 ye shall not raigne ouer an other cruelly Turne not aside from the law of God Deu. 5. neyther to the right hand nor to the last The iudges shal giue sentence between parties and iustisie the righteous Deu. 25. and condemne the vngodly Thou shalt take no giftes Exod. 23 for giftes blinde the sight and peruert the wordes of the righteous Psalm 28. Defende the fatherlesse and poore saith Dauid sée that such as be in néede and necessitie haue right Father Ought these rulers also to be obeyed Sonne Yea Father Deu. â— for when Moyses had ordayned Rulers and Iudges ouer the people they all aunswered and saide that which thou hast spoken is good vnto vs to doe Iosua 1 The people aunswered Iosua all that thou commaundest vs will we doe and whether thou sendest vs will we goe and whosoeuer hée bee that disobayeth thy mouth will not harken vnto the wordes in all the thou coÌ„maundst him let hym dye Exod. 17 When Moyses sat downe to iudge the people all the people stoode before him from morning till euen Exod. 22. Thou shalt not rayle on the Gods neither blaspheme the ruler of the people Ieremi 35 We haue said the people obayed Ionadab our father in all that he commanded vs and the Lord said to those Rachabites God blesseth obedient persons because you haue béene obedient to Iona. Iona. shall not fayle to haue one to stand alwaies before me out of his stocke And concluding with S. Paules words to Titus Titus 3 warne theÌ„ that they bée subiect to rule and power that they obay the officers Father Prechers and Ministers My Sonne I am nowe desirous to knowe the duties of Preachers and ministers of the word of God Sonne Deu. 10. According to my little knowledge as I haue red in Gods booke I will shew you the same The Lord seperated the tribe of Leuy to beare the Arke of the appoyntment of the Lord to stand before the Lord to minister vnto him and to blesse in his name Whosoeuer killeth a beast Leuiti 17 and bringeth it to the Tabernacle of witnesse to offer to the Lord No man may take vppon him the Priests office vncalled blood shall be imputed to that man as though he had shed blood and he shal be rooted out of the people of Israell wherefore when the people bring offerings let them bring them to the Priests to offer them Looke out among you seuen men of honest report Acts. 6. and full of the holy Ghost and wisedome Who ought to be choseÌ„ to whom we may commit this businesse and when they had prayed they layde their hands vpon them I warne thée that thou stirre vp the gift that is in thée Tim. 1. Ordering of Ministers Acts. 14 Titus 1. by the putting on of my hands And they ordayned them elders in euerie congregation by election prayed Reforme things that are vnperfect ordaine elders in euery citie as I appointed thée Let them be sober sage discret Titus 2 souÌ„d in the faith in loue in pacieÌ„ce 1. Cor. 6. Let vs giue none occasioÌ„ of euill that in our office be found no fault but in all thinges behaue our selues as the ministers of God in much paynes in afflictions in necessities in anguish in stripes in prisonments in stryfes in labours in watchinges in fasting in purenesse in knowledge in long suffering in kindnesse in the holy Ghost in loue vnfained in the word of truth in the power of God by the armour of righteousnesse on the right hand on the left by honour and dishonour by euill report and good report as deceauers and yet true as vnknowen and yet knowen as dying and beholde we liue as chastened and not killed as sorrowing and yet alway merrie as poore and yet make many rych as hauing nothing yet possessing all thinges Esay 62. I haue set watchmen vpon thy wales Oh Ierusalem which shall cease neyther day nor night to preach the Lord. Ieremy 3. I will giue you heardmen after mine owne minde which shall féede you with learning and wisedome Ezech. 3 Thou sonne of man I haue made thée a watchman vnto the house of Israell and therefore take good héede vnto the words of my mouth and giue them warning at my commaundement if I say vnto thée concerning the vngodly man that without doubt he must dye and thou giuest him no warning nor speakest vnto him that he turne from his euill way and so liue then shall the same vngodly man dye in his vnrighteousnesse but his blood will I require at thine hands but if thou giue him warning yet he forsake not his vngodlynesse then shall he dye in his owne wickednes but thou hast discharged thy selfe If the people take a man of their Countrie and set him to be their watchman Ezech 34 the same man when he séeth the swoord come vppon the Land shall blow the Trumpet and warne the people c. I set thée ouer people and kingdomes Ieremy 1 that thou maiest roote out breake off destroy and make wast and that thou maist build vp and plant I will send out my fishers to take them Ieremi 6. and after that I wil send out my hunters to hunt them out from all mouÌ„taines and hills and out of the Caues of stone In the Priests lippes should be sure knowledge Malachi 2 Gods messenger that men may seeke the Lawe at their mouthes for he is a messenger of the Lorde of hosts Ye are the light of the world Math. 5. let your light so shine before men that they may sée your good workes and glorifie your Father which
vs sensible thinges externall singes to bring our mindes by these outward singes to consider his inuisible graces Luke 22. 1. Cor. 11 And an other cause was to put vs alwaies in remembrance of his death and benefit of his passion for he saith doe this in the remembrance of mée As oft as ye eate of this bread and drinke of this cup ye shew the Lordes death till he come And an other cause there is that moued Christ Iesus to institute sacraments that they might be linckes bond of loue vnitie and concorde among our selues for we haue but one God Ephe. 4. one Faith one baptisme 1. Cor. 10. Vnus panis vnum corpus but one bread so all but one body Father Passeouer There were Sacraments in the olde Law as the passeouer what did that signifie Sonne Exod. 12 It was a Lambe of a yéere olde without blemish which was killed and the blood sprinkled signifiyng this immaculat Lambe of God Iesus Christ that taketh away the sinnes of the word The pascall Lambe put the people of Israell alwaies in remembrance of their bodelie deliuerance out of Egipte from Pharo and from the filth and clay of the Land by the power of God by a mightie hand and stretched out arme So in like manner this Sacrament of the Lordes supper 1. Cro. 11 signifieth to vs how that we are not onelie deliuered from a bodelie seruitude but also from hell the diuell and sinne and that by the crosse passion Luke 22. and blood shedding of our pascall Lambe Iesus Christ Father Séeing that this Sacrament is so worthie a misterie tell me how we ought to communicate Sonne We ought to iudge and examine our selues and then eate of that bread 1. Cor 11 drink of that cup. If any man be defiled saith God Num. 9. let him not eate of the passeouer but it must be eateÌ„ with swéete breade sower hearbeâ— so father is this Sacrament to be eaten no vncleane person that hath not examined himselfe may eate threof The passeouer was to be eaten with swéete bread and sower hearbes so he that eateth this Sacrament must be contrite in heart and his conscience vnleauened that is pure and cleane â—euiti 7. If any soule that is vncleane eate of the flesh of the peace offering the same soule shall perish from among his people â— Cor. 11 Whosoeuer saith Saint Paull shall eate of this bread and drinke of the cup of the Lorde vnworthelie shal be guiltie of the body and blood of the Lorde and eateth and drinketh his owne damnation Father â—eall preâ—ns Then belike in this Sacrament is the real presens of Christ his body and blood so that this Sacrament is transsubstantiall into his naturall bodie and blood if ther be such benefit for the worthie receiuers and so great perell to the vnworthie Sonne â—uke 22 â— Cor. 11 No father for it is but a memoriall of his death and instituted for a remembrance of the same his naturall body with all partes and members thereof is ascended into heauen Heb. 1 and sitteth on his fathers right hand Heb. 8. and shall abide there till the ende come Father How can the vnworthie receiuers bée in such daunger then Sonne Because they set at naught the ordinances of Iesus Christ And therefore saint Paull saith he that despiseth Moyses lawe dyeth without mercie vnder two or thrée witnesses how much sorer shall he be punished that treadeth vnder foote the sonne of God and compteth the blood of the testament wherewith he was sanctified as an vnholie thing and doth dishonour to the spirit of grace Father What punishment are they worthie of that refuse or negligentlie regard this institucion of Iesus Christ our Lore and sauiour Sonne Numer 9 The lord saith that man that is negligent to offer passouer in his due time shal be rooted out of his people and parish Heb. 10. He that treadeth vnder foote the institucion of Iesus Christ is worthie of death because he doth dishonour to the blood of Christ and to the spirit of grace Father Thou hast spoken well by these two Sacraments baptisme and the Lordes supper being instituded by Iesus Christ and therefore to be had in reuerence as the seals of our saluation but procéede tel me what thou sayst of extreme vnction for it should séeme that Saint Iames alloweth of the same Iames. 5 Sonne Iames. AnnoyntiÌ„g The Appostle father speaketh of the holie ghost in that same place as we may perceiue by other places expounding what the annoynting is the annoynting that dwelleth in you saith saint Iohn teacheth you all thinges Io. 2. and is true and no lye 2. Cor. 1. It is God that stablysheth vs with you in Christ and standeth by vs and hath annoynted vs which hath also sealed vs and hath giuen vs the earnest of the spirit into our heartes When the spirit of truth commeth Io. 16 he will lead you into all truth The spirit of God vpon mée Luke 4. because he hath annoynted mée to preach the ghospell to the poore hath he sent mée to heale the broken hearted to preach deliuerance to the captiue and sight to the blind Frely to set at libertie those that are brused and to preach the acceptable yéere of the Lord. So that the ministers or elders ought to pray ouer the sicke and diseased and to annoynte them with this oyle which is Gods spirit to certifie their consciens that their broken heartes are healed that wheras they were captiues they are deliuered whereas they were in darkenesse now lightned being in bondage True annoynting by the spirit of God now set at libertie whereas they were ouercharged with sinne the Christ had taken vppon him all their offences and that now they wer acceptable offeringes vnto their GOD through Iesus Christ And this is the annoyting that euery minister must annoynt the diseased withall Father Ecclesiasticall auâ—horitie What saist thou of ecclesiastiall aucthoritie and iurisdiction Sonne I say that they haue power and aucthority to excoÌ„municate punish offenders and when they repent to receiue them into the congregacion againe and absolue Iesus breathed on his disciples and saide â—o 20. receiue the holy ghost whose sinnes soeuer you remit they are remitted and whose soeuer sinnes ye retaine they are retained The minister may binde that is preach the Law and curse thereof Binding loosing to impenitent persons that wil not regard their owne saluacion and they may loose that is preach the gospell and glad tidings to those that repent vnfainedlie Matb 11 and would gladlie come vnto Christ to be refreshed Father Let me héere that they haue aucthoritie to excoÌ„municate and power to receiue into the congregacion againe such as repent Sonne Leuiti 13 The Lorde commaunded that if any man should be a leper the Priest should looke vppon him and if he iudged him to be
gaue mée drinke Blessed when I was harbourlesse you lodged mée when I was naked you cloathed mée when I was sicke and in pryson ye came vnto mée and visited mée Father And shall they aunswere any thing Sonne Yea father for the Lord saith Esay 14 there shall be all mightie men of the earth areigned and Princes and kinges and small and great shall stand from their seates that they may all aunswere and speake vnto the Lorde They shall aunswere Math. 25 Lorde Iesus when sawe we thée an hungered and féed the thirstie and gaue the drinke harbourles and lodged thée naked and clothed thée sicke and in prison and cam vnto thée he shall aunswere and say in asmuch as ye haue done it to the least of these my bretheren you haue done it vnto mée Father What speach shall his Maiestie vse to the wicked on his left hand Sonne Oh ye cursed of my father Cursed when I was an hungrie you gaue mée no meate when I was a thirst ye gaue me no drinck when I was harbourlesse ye lodged mée not when I was naked yée clothed mée not when I was sicke and in prison ye came not vnto mée to visit mée and they shall aunswere Lorde when saw we thée an hungrie or a thirst or harbourlesse or naked or sicke or in prison came not vnto thée he shall say in asmuch as ye did it not to these my brethren ye did it not to mée Father Iesus God if the Lord coÌ„demne them that helpe not their bretheren what will he do to the vnmercifull that robbe him that taketh meate drinke apparell lodging relefe and all from him euen fleaing the skin from the bone as much as lyeth in them Sonne The Lorde or they passe away will reward them for all as you shall heare afterwardes Father Well sonne who shal be present to heare all causes pleaded and what witnesse shall there be against the wicked for I am sure that the Lorde will haue all men sée that hée dealeth iustly and vprightlie withall Sonne True it is father VVitnesses 2. Cor. 5 there shal be present all Angells Archangels all the hosts of heauen there shal be all Saints and righteous all wicked and vngodlie that euer were vppon the face of the earth young and olde There shal be the great Dragon the diuell Sathanas with all the rable of hell-houndes and damned spirits for Saint Iohn saith Reuel 20. that he sawe the dead both great and small stand before God and the bookes were opened which is the booke of life and an other booke was opened and the dead were iudged of those thinges that were written in the booke according to their déedes Wherby we may learne that the bookes wer their coÌ„ciences layd abroad to al the world ConscieÌ„ces It is a sore thing wheÌ„ a man 's owne coÌ„cience beareth witnesse and recorde of his wickednesse and condemmeth him Wisd 17 He that speaketh vnrighteous thinges cannot be hidde and why Wisd 1. inquisition shall bée made for the thoughts of the vngodly and the reporte of his wordes shal come vnto God so that his wickednesse shal be punished Eod. There is nothing so hid that shall not be reueled Luke 22 There is nothing so couered saith Christ that shall not be vncouered neither hid that shall not be knowen Father I sée then that euerie thing shal be opened for I haue heard that a mans concience is quasi millie testis As a thousand witnesse but what other witnesses will there be Sonne God himselfe a witnesse GOD himselfe who séeth all thinges from the beginning shall be both the iudge and witnesse Malachi 3 I my selfe saith the Lord will be a swift witnesse against al witches against aduoulterers against false swerers against those that wrongfully kéepe backe the hyrelinges dutie which oppresse the stranger and hurt the widowes and Fatherlesse Cor. 10. The Lorde will come and open the thinges that are in darkenesse and declare the counsell of Princes and then shall euery one haue praise of God Father What other witnesses will there bée against the wicked VVorks Sonne Their owne workes in fine hominis denunciatio operum illius at the ende of man there is a declaration of their works Blessed are the dead that dye in the Lord Reuel 14 euen so saith the spirit that they rest from their labours but their workes followe them The Appostle Saint Paull teacheth all men that they learne to excell in good works Titus 3 that they be not vnfruiteful in the Lords daie My deare brethren be stedfast and vnmoueable 1. Cor. 15. alwaies rich in the works of the Lorde forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vaine in the Lorde Father What are there any more witnesses Sonne The Diuell that great dragon as saith saint Iohn which deceiued all the world Diuell a witnesse the accuser of our brethren which accuse them before God day and night 1. Peter 1 That aduersary the diuel like a roareing Lyon séeketh whom he may deuoure Father Lorde God what shal the worme-eaten conscience then doe what shall the vnmercifull and couetous man say Sonne Luke 23. Decent montibus cadite super nos they shall say to the mountaines fal vppon vs and to the hills couer vs from the face of the Lorde Oseas 10 Esay 2 Then shall they séeke to crepe into holes and caues and rockes for feare of God but they cannot escape Reue. 6 They shall couet to hiâ—e themselues in dennes and Rockes of the Hills and shall say vnto the rockes fall on vs and hide vs from the presence of him that sitteth on the seate and from the wrath of the Lambe For the great day of his wrath is come and who is able to endure Reuel 9 At that time shall men séeke for death and shall not finde it they shall desire to dye and death shall flée from them Father Can there none hide themselues Sonne I tould you before father Amos. 9 that although they were buryed in hell the hand of the Lorde would fetch them from thence though they clyme vp to heauen yet will hée cast them downe though they hide themselues vppon the tope of Carmell yet will he séeke them out and bring theÌ„ from thence though they could créepe into the déepe of the sea yet hée will commaund the Serpent there to byte them Father Father of heauen be mercifull to vs. Well goe on seeing that euerie one must abyde the sentence of God and his straite iudgement tell mée now what will folow Sonne Then shall the Lorde Iesus Christ call those on his right hand and say come ye blessed of my Father Math. 25 inherite the kingdome of heauen prepared for you from the beginning of the worlde Father I perceiue that the faithfull mercifull and righteous shall then be blessed and without all feare But what shall he